5. He will make his first All-Star appearance
Simmons was an All-Star snub last season, losing out to the likes of Andre Drummond and Goran Dragic in a series of questionable decisions from the league office. Next season, Simmons won’t be a replacement candidate. He’ll be on the initial roster.
The Sixers were hanging around the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference standings at the All-Star break last season. The Sixers didn’t break out until the end of the season, when they pulled off a 16-game win streak and grabbed the third seed.
A large portion of the credit for that win streak goes to Simmons, who kept the Sixers on top after Joel Embiid missed the last eight games of the season. He essentially averaged a triple-double during that win streak, averaging 14 points, 9.8 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game.
That was the culminating point for a historic rookie season. Simmons had the most triple-doubles of any rookie since Oscar Robertson. He was also one of the best passers in the NBA, spearheading the Sixers’ dynamic offensive attack.
While his scoring numbers aren’t as flashy as some of his point guard counterparts, Simmons provides a blend of versatility and skill that is virtually unmatched in the East. He puts up numbers across the board, and those numbers will only improve after another summer of workouts.
Whether it be fan support, player support, or general talent, Simmons checks all the boxes for what seems like an inevitable All-Star appearance. He will join Embiid on the national stage next February.